Muggle Not's Reading - 2022

[muggle not]

On 7/29/2022 at 9:17 AM, Hayley said:

Should this be Raymond?  (I can change it if you want). I read Raymond Chandler as part of my university course and I think it kind of ruined the experience for me. I was trying to read it too quickly alongside other things and I get it mixed up in my mind with Chester Himes. I feel like I should go back to it though because I love a good mystery! I don't think the Philip Marlowe series needs to be read in order, does it?

 

 

I think it helps to read them in order but it isn't really necessary. But, there are only 7 books in the series so it is nice to start at the beginning and take your time going through the whole series.  I have gone back and corrected my goof on his name. At my age I am allowed a few of those. 

 

On 7/29/2022 at 1:44 PM, Chrissy said:

Two great ones from the PI's PI, Phillip Marlowe;

 

Neither of the two people in the room paid any attention to the way I came in, although only one of them was dead. (The Big Sleep)

 

The girl gave him a look which ought to have stuck at least four inches out of his back. (The Long Goodbye)

 

The second one makes me chuckle whenever I read it. I know girls like that, and the looks they throw! 

Chandler grows on you as the more of him you read the more you like his writing. 

Edited July 30 by muggle not

[muggle not]

19. Every Cloak Rolled In Blood  (A Holland Family Saga)– James Lee Burke – 4/5

Burke believes that this book is the best that he has written (and he has written over 40 novels).

Amazon:

In his most autobiographical novel to date, James Lee Burke continues the epic Holland family saga with a writer grieving the death of his daughter while battling earthly and supernatural outlaws.

Drawn from James Lee Burke’s own life experiences, Every Cloak Rolled in Blood is a devastating exploration of the nature of good and evil and a deeply moving story about the power of love and family.

 

(In real life Burke’s daughter recently died and Burke has taken her death extremely hard. He has stated in an interview that his daughter, while he was grieving, helped him write "Every Cloak Rolled In Blood". Burke is one of my favorite current writers.

[Hayley]

On 29/07/2022 at 6:44 PM, Chrissy said:

Two great ones from the PI's PI, Phillip Marlowe;

 

Neither of the two people in the room paid any attention to the way I came in, although only one of them was dead. (The Big Sleep)

 

The girl gave him a look which ought to have stuck at least four inches out of his back. (The Long Goodbye)

 

The second one makes me chuckle whenever I read it. I know girls like that, and the looks they throw! 

These are both excellent 

 

On 30/07/2022 at 3:03 AM, muggle not said:

There are only 7 books in the series so it is nice to start at the beginning and take your time going through the whole seires. 

I don't know why but I thought there'd be more than that! I will start at the beginning then (once I've gotten through some of my current book pile!).

[muggle not]

20. The Big Sky - A.B. Guthrie, Jr - 5/5 - This book has been voted the best book of the West by the Western literature Association. I tend to agree with their selection. The main person in the book is Boone Caudill (along with Jim Deakins and Dick Summers). They all become Mountain Men in the 1830's and are trappers, explorers, and basically live off the land and fight for survival . Guthrie's description is one of the best that I have read. It makes you feel like you are part of their experiences. 

 

 

[muggle not]

21. The Way West - A.B. Guthrie, Jr - 5/5 - Guthrie was given a Pulitzer Prize for this book in 1950. I believe it certainly deserved it. The writing in this book is simply great. The book describes a wagon train in the 1830's that travels from Missouri to Oregon on what eventually becomes the Oregon Trail. A journey of over 2000 miles. A book of historical fiction. Guthrie also wrote the screenplay for the Movie "Shane' who some consider the best Western movie ever made.

Edited 4 hours ago by muggle not